Red Devil Ready: Weekly Message

Week 27: March Madness

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Decatur County Community High School

605 E Commercial St, Oberlin, KS 67749

February, 25 2024 (Schedule at the bottom, Skip What You Want)

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Decatur community,

"March Madness" is about to begin. Now, most of the time we probably think of the excitement of the NCAA College Basketball Tournaments that kick off in March. Exciting, true, but, it gives me time to consider just how "mad" March will be at DCHS. Let's just glance at March through spring break. I'll even start with this week. Heck, it's a leap year anyway.

2-28: Staff, reminder that we have several juniors that will not be in your morning classes today they will be taking the ACT WorkKeys test.

2-28: Staff, reminder that today is the JH Music Festival in Colby, so almost all JH students will be gone for at minimum a portion of the day and will miss your classes.

2-29: Students and staff, reminder that tonight we host two boys Sub-State basketball games, including our boys against Quinter.

3-1: Students and staff, reminder that tonight the we host two boys Sub-State basketball games, including our girls against Atwood.

3-2: Everybody, reminder that we will be hosting the boys and girls Sub-State Championship games.

3-5: Staff, reminder that many juniors will be participating in ACT PowerPrep this Wednesday and will not be in your classes.

3-6: Staff, today is a statewide tornado drill that will come in the middle of your class. Oh, and we still need to get in a fire drill again soon.

3-7: Staff, we all know the kids are going to be super excited on the last day before spring break.

Madness I say.

SHOUTOUTS

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Shoutout to every parent that came to parent-teacher conferences. There are two times a year set aside for face to face meetings between parents and teachers, a time to truly dig into how things are going, genuinely ask questions one may be concerned about, and meet the people that are around your child every day. It was a great conference with a solid turnout. I immensely enjoyed the conversations that I was able to have with each parent that stopped by to talk with me as well.

Shoutout to the Booster Club for once again planning for and providing a variety of food for our staff at conferences. There are no planned breaks once conferences start, and it is always a great treat for staff that enthusiastically look forward to whatever is provided. Huge thanks to all.

Shoutout to Vo-Ag. teacher Jason Ketterl. This past week was FFA week. Students made breakfast for staff on Monday. On Tuesday, several students participated in "Drive your Tractor or Lawn Mower to School Day." On Wednesday, there was a scavenger hunt. Throughout the week, FFA students were also volunteering their time in the kitchen to help serve. It was a great experience for everyone and a great way to show off FFA. Check some pictures below.

Shoutout to wrestling coaches Denton Bailey, Brandon Hardwick, and Amanda Sowers. It was a successful year for all with 4 State qualifiers.

Shoutout once again to Garrett Emigh, Reid Fort, Kyra Sowers, and Lukas Zodrow on their trip to State wrestling. Fort one a match, and Zodrow capped his high school career with a Second Place finish.

Shoutout to the cheerleaders for organizing a final Pep Rally for our students prior to State Wrestling and Sub-State basketball. I was impressed by the overall participation by the students.

Shoutout to all of the community members that showed up to support our wrestlers for their State send-off. I still remember to this day a few of the parents that showed up for send-offs when I was younger as well. It matters. Mrs. Emigh and Andersons, they will be thankful. To Ms. Fort and the Zodrows, thank you for all the years of support. It has to be a great feeling to know that they made it to the final tournament in their last year.

Shoutout to Sunrise Recreation Center for hosting a live viewing of Lukas State Championship match at 138. It was a great gesture and a great idea.

Shoutout to a student section that really enjoyed themselves this past week. Whether it be the boys or the girls games, the bleachers were as filled as they have been, and the students made it a homecourt advantage.

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Things You Should Know

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ACT Workkeys

Over the next month, several junior students will be taking a few ACT-based Assessments and preps.

There are three different ACT tests that students can take:

1. ACT WorkKeys: This Wednesday, February 28

2. ACT PowerPrep with Carolyn Devane: Wednesday, March 6

3. ACT: Tuesday, March 26

First up? ACT WorkKeys! All juniors will take the WorkKeys assessment.

What is the ACT WorkKeys? First used in 1992, ACT® WorkKeys® assessments are the cornerstone of the ACT workforce solutions. The assessments help you measure the workplace skills that can affect your job performance. WorkKeys assessments are: Unique—Unlike other assessments, they don't simply give an indication of reading and writing competency.

Why take it?

For starters, lots of professionals take this test as well. For many employers, they will pay you more if you have a specific WorkKeys score. Many professionals seek out this test to simply raise their pay with a credential if they know their employer will accept it.

Another reason is simply interest. This test exposes you to a lot of information and skills that are applicable to many professions. By the end, it is possible that you will learn a bit about your self, or the test may lead you to specific professions that you were unaware of.

A final reason would be to allow students to see their strengths. Several people entered into their current professions because they were either told or discovered for themselves that they were good at it. The WorkKeys test will let you know where you are the strongest and may help you better pick your career path.

This Wednesday, several juniors and will be taking the ACT WorkKeys assessment test. Good luck to all of the students.

Next week, we will focus on the ACT PowerPrep.

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Addison Mathews Earns a Third Straight Trip to KMEA

This past week, senior Addison Mathews sang for the Kansas Honor Choir for the third straight year. Anyone who has ever heard Addie sing knows that she is blessed with a beautiful voice and a love of music. Whether it be for the school choir, with the DCHS Singers, or at KMEA with the Honor Choir, she gives it her all. Congratulations, Addie. It is a rare talent that you can share with others for years to come!

Here are a few words from Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Tally

Mrs. Johnson - "It is a beautiful day in Wichita with AMAZING music at the KMEA convention.

Addison Mathews was selected through a vigorous audition process to participate in the All-State Mixed Choir. She was also awarded a “3 Year Participant Award” for making the Honor Choir roster for 3 years. This honor is hard to achieve and only exceptional musicians are able to receive this award.

Congratulations Addie, and job well done. Brava, and thank you for sharing your amazing talent."

Mrs. Tally -"Her concert was amazing. Addie is the first 3 year member of the Honor Choir in 10 years from DCHS."

Mrs. Tally will have an article coming in the paper next week.

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Zodrow Caps Memorable Wrestling Career with Second Place State Placement

There is perhaps no DCHS athlete that looks more the part than senior Lukas Zodrow. From the moment you see and meet Lukas, you know that he is a wrestler, and he carries himself with the confidence and leadership that you would expect from someone that would finish second at State.

The thing that is most impressive about Lukas is that he is not only an athlete, but also an outstanding student. Lukas is always at school, a leader that leads by example, and he will also graduate DCHS while meeting the requirements of the Kansas Honors' Curriculum.

Lukas just finished an illustrious high school career as a wrestler, but his best days are in front of him, and he is the type of student-athlete that any coach or school loves to have as a member.

Boys' Sub-State Basketball

Thursday night, the boys will play against Quinter in the Sub-State Semifinals. The boys are playing what would have to be considered the best basketball of their season at the right time. This past Thursday night, the boys won their first round matchup against Stockton with a with a 71-25 victory that was a thorough team victory. Whether it be Tyler Ostmeyer's dominate inside game, Gage Williby's steady jump shots, or Davin Jensen's clutch steals and threes, it was a team effort that saw everyone hit the court.

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Gage Williby

With chants of, "He's a freshman" consistently ringing throughout the gym, Gage Williby came up clutch in Thursday's win.

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Tyler Ostmeyer

There was no answer for the big man. It's amazing that he is only a sophomore and he is getting better each week.

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Davin Jensen

It seemed like every time you looked up, Davin Jensen was making a steal or breaking to the basket.

Sub-State Girls' Basketball

The girls started slow, but as I stood next to Pat Dorshorst, I kept telling her that we were going to win the game. Down early, the girls rallied with a great team win. Brylee Minnick did her thing, and Jenna Fortin consistently was there for the jumpers and shots to help her team. The top teams in front of these girls are teams they have either beat or played in OT. Let's go girls! Next up, Atwood on Friday night.

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Kamryn Oien

Kamryn Oien plays about half a foot taller than she is. She battles for rebounds against girls far taller than she is, and that was on display last Friday. It seemed like every time the fans chanted "defense," Kamryn obliged with a big play.

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Brylee Minnick

Brylee Minnick continues to show her ability to generate points on her own or with the assist of others. She is a go-to player that has to be accounted for at all times. Here she is getting an open look after a perfect pick by Aidyn Witt.

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Jenna Fortin

A theme this year has been the clutch play of Jenna Fortin. Whether it be hitting 3 straight free throws to put the Quinter game into OT earlier in the season, or the steady shooting throughout the game Friday, her calm at the point is essential and help make this team a threat against anyone.